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Manila Bulletin devider Entertainment devider Celebrities devider MOVIEGOER: Martin swings both ways

MOVIEGOER: Martin swings both ways

Published Apr 10, 2025 12:42 am

At A Glance

  • What tops the cake is Martin's firefighter role in "Beyond the Call of Duty," an advocacy project for the Philippine National Police (PNP) and its partners.
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Martin Escudero

Reverting to a thoroughly masculine role is such a welcome change for Martin Escudero, who has been signed as one of three lead stars of upcoming film, “Beyond the Call of Duty.”

He considers it a breather from the spate of gay roles he has been playing lately. Martin has been showing exceptional skill in portraying effeminate roles that producers often think of him first when casting actors for those parts.

“I don’t mind it one bit,” he told us during a conversation at the media launch of Call of Duty, held at the sprawling residence of former Ilocos Sur Governor Chavit Singson, who’s bankrolling the film.  

Martin attained full stardom via the 2011 horror-comedy "Zombadings: Patayin sa Shokot si Remington." The film fetched him a Best Actor at the 10th Gawad Tanglaw in 2012.

At the risk of being typecast, Martin followed this up with similar gay-oriented roles in "Something Called Tanga Na" (2016) and "Ladyfish" (2017). Early this year, he was seen anew in another gay role in Mananambal.

Thankfully, Martin’s two new finished films "Thy Name" and "Wild Boys" cast him in straight roles.

What tops the cake is Martin’s firefighter role in “Beyond the Call of Duty,” an advocacy project for the Philippine National Police (PNP) and its partners.

The movie, directed by JR Olinares Jr. pays tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of Filipino police officers and firefighters.  

Chavit and his daughter, Stephanie, are the movie’s executive producers.

While stating that "Beyond" is an advocacy film, Olinares clears that his is a commercial film funded by a substantial budget.  

Chavit told the media, “This movie aims to remind people that public servants aren't perfect, but they go the extra mile to help people.”

The film also stars Martin del Rosario, Paolo Gumabao, Maxine Trinidad, Devon Seron, among many others.

Speaking of Martin del Rosario, this guy pulled off a magnificent performance in his first theater outing, "Anino sa Likod ng Buwan," staged recently for several weeks at PETA Theater. He and co-actors, Elora Espanto and Ross Pesigan, are to be remembered in local theater history for exhibiting boldness and bravery in their realistic portrayal of hunger for social justice and desire.

"Anino" returns to the PETA stage in October. Watch out for this theater event based on Jun Lana’s award-winning film of the same title.  

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